Back in Black: First Week of School

Hello Readers!

Yet another semester of life is upon us at my college. Classes began on Monday and they went quite well! I still wake up around 6:30 am, but my first class isn't until 11:30 am. Last semester my first class began at 8:30 am and I found that many of my students were mostly asleep during the first 5 minutes or so of class... so I am looking forward to teaching students who are hungry instead of students who are sleepy. (Well, I hope they won't be sleepy!)

Yesterday, after my dear roomie took my outfit of the day photo, I realized that most of what I've worn over the past few days has been black or grey with the exception of a purple sweater on Tuesday. I hope my students don't think I'm gloomy or glum! It's just an easy color to match, I guess.

On Monday, I did add a punch of color with a pair of burgundy Calvin Klein pumps that I purchased from Bergner's last week at 75% off. The only mistake I found in wearing these shoes was that I wore them too much. Note to self: don't wear a new pair of heels on a day when you plan to walk a lot.

Retail Details:
Black V-Neck Cardigan: Zara
Black Elizabeth Dot Tie-Neck Blouse: Banana Republic (14 dollars!)
Black Skinny Belt: Banana Republic
Black Minnie Cropped Pants: J. Crew
Silvertone Locketwatch Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters
Bow and Glass Crystal Earrings: Juicy Couture (via Nordstrom Rack)

Do I look tired? That is because I am! First weeks are exhausting!

On Tuesday, I really wanted to wear tights. Before returning from break I came across a skirt I purchased back in November 2009 hiding in my pile of sports/activity t-shirts in my closet and since uncovering that gem I've been determined to find a way to bring it back into the light of day. And that is why I wanted to wear tights, so I could wear this skirt. Since it is black, grey, white, and gold; black tights were an easy choice. Here is the ensemble:

Retail Details:
Silver Heart Necklace: A gift from my cousin, Liz, for singing at her wedding
Black Cowl-Neck Long-Sleeve Top: Banana Republic
Black Tweed Skirt: J. Crew (Fall 2009)
Black Tights: J.Crew (also Fall 2009! Woah!)
Black Leather Boots: Anne Klein
Hair Elastic: Walgreens

My biggest regret of this outfit, besides not wearing any blush or bronzer while dressed in black, was that the skirt was a bit shorter than I remembered it being. Not inappropriate-short, but maybe a bit too short for a college professor- even an adjunct! The worst part of this skirt was that it rode up when I walked across campus and I had to pull it down every 5 steps (or so it seemed). Who knows... maybe someone will think I was dancing. Maybe soon you will see a dance move (the skirt tug) sweeping across campus. And you'll know that this girl made it up!

Demonstrating the "skirt tug": I think I'll save this skirt AND dance moves for Saturday nights.

Thanks for reading!

PS- Bergner's/Bon-Ton/Boston Store/Carson's/Younkers/etc. is still having their sale! The best deals can be found in the Yellow Dot Clearance (click "Yellow Dot Clearance" to go there. I'm not being paid/asked to say this, I just love sharing good sales with friends! Check it out! 

Key Lime Pie?

Hello Readers,

As promised in the last post, this post will feature a pair of white pants that I purchased at the Chicago Ave. Anthropologie a couple of weeks ago (for just under 20 dollars!) I wasn't familiar with the style, and had a difficult time finding them until I looked on the EU Anthropologie site where I found them.

White pants are wonderful, but frightening things. It takes a brave soul to wear white pants because (1) they are not ultra flattering and (2) they are magnets for dirt.  These were not my first pair of white pants but they are my first pair of cropped pants- which also happen to be white.  Last Sunday, and the Sunday before that, I triumphed over the trials of white pants!  I didn't take a picture of last Sunday's outfit, but here is one from the Sunday before. Wearing this outfit made me think of Key Lime pie and Florida.

The week leading up to this outfit was a stressful one that included a career-altering decision. I was, and still am, confident in this decision.  I don't regret making this decision, but making the decision was difficult nonetheless.  All of this to say that I needed to wear something that would lift me up with the optimism of a bright future! The details are still a bit blurry, but I am confident that whatever is next will be an adventure!

Bright Green Draped Blouse- Anthropologie (from the Schaumburg store's sale rack)
White Sateen Crops- Anthropologie (available here in black)
Grey Pumps with White Bows ("Situation")- Jeffrey Allen (currently in Nordstrom's sale section here)

Key Lime Pie?

My photographer for this outfit was my lovely Mom! She is a woman of impeccable style and natural beauty- so, naturally, I invited her to be my model! That day, she was wearing an outfit that I think expresses her style well- classic, timeless, and comfortable (and machine-washable!). She often wears navy blue- and I captured a lot of this in her outfit! Besides her warm smile, I think my favorite part of the outfit are her trousers- she is styling!

Navy Blue and White Striped Button-Up Shirt: Ralph Lauren (Bergner's)
Navy Blue Trousers with Gold Buttons: Ralph Lauren (Bergner's)
White Under Shirt- Macy's,
Brown and Gold Sandals- Cole Haans

Isn't she lovely?

My mom is beautiful!

Photographs of me, courtesy of my Mom. Tree courtesy of Grandview Drive.

Thanks for reading!